Running Batch Files in Java Applications

In Java, executing a batch file that initiates actions like "scons -Q implicit-deps-changed build\file_load_type export\file_load_type" can seem challenging.

The Challenge of Batch Files

Batch files are not inherently executable and require an application to execute them, such as cmd on Windows. Unlike UNIX script files that utilize shebang (#!) to specify the executing program, batch files lack this mechanism.

Java Execution Attempts

Your initial Java code, which attempted to execute the batch file using "Runtime.getRuntime().exec("build.bat", null, new File("."))", would not succeed because it assumed direct execution was possible.

The Solution: Utilizing cmd

The key to overcoming this challenge is to use the cmd command to execute the batch file. Here's the corrected Java code:

Runtime.getRuntime().exec("cmd /c start \"\" build.bat");

By adding "cmd /c start \"\" " to the beginning of the command, you invoke a command window that executes the batch file. The start \"\" argument creates a separate command window with a blank title to display any output. Alternatively, using "cmd /c build.bat" without start \"\" omits the separate command window and allows output to be read within Java.

Implementing this change should enable your Java application to successfully trigger the execution of batch files and perform the desired actions.